Rodrigo Duterte's 'War on Drugs' in the Philippines – Explained in 30 Seconds | Philippines

Shortly after his election in 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte launched his so-called “War on Drugs,” a bloody campaign that killed up to 30,000 civilians.

Most of the victims were men from poor urban areas who were shot dead on the streets or in their homes by police or, in some cases, by unknown assailants.

Authorities regularly claimed that police killed in self-defense. But groups documenting the killings have disputed that claim, saying police regularly falsified evidence, including by planting drugs and weapons at the crime scene. Witnesses often stated that the victims were unarmed and posed no threat. The type of wounds the victims suffered also contradicted police reports: many were shot multiple times, in some cases in the back or the back of the head.

Duterte is being investigated by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity in connection with the killings. He is accused of aiding and abetting the killings and allowing police to act with impunity.

After taking office, Duterte publicly stated that he would kill suspected drug dealers and urged the public to kill addicts. Even as the killings sparked international alarm, Duterte remained loyal to the campaign, saying: “Many will die, many will be killed until the last minute is off the streets.”

In parliamentary committee hearings this month, it was alleged that Duterte's office paid officers up to 1 million pesos (£13,200) per killing during raids, depending on the target.

He has denied that such payments were made or that he authorized extrajudicial killings. However, he has admitted to maintaining a death squad of criminals to kill other criminals during his term as mayor.

Duterte said at a Senate hearing in October that he accepted “full legal responsibility” for the crackdown.